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Tom, I get what you're saying, but you're not taking the "maneuver" element into account. Once a base of fire is established by a belt fed or two, then a maneuver element is punched out to assault enemy positions. Those guys are moving, and having each of them armed with a 20lb gun rather than a 7lb rifle is going to restrict their ability to close with the enemy effectively. Now, if you armed them with automatic rifles, sure that's fine, but actual light machine guns? I'm guessing you've never carried a 249 or 240 for any significant length of time. They're worth their weight, but they are damn heavy.

Ahhh, ok. That’s really clear. Thanks. And you’re right; I’ve never handled anything in the M249 bracket. The British army had just adopted Minimis when I left. Before that, we used the LSW and GPMG (the former being something akin to the M27 and the latter a heavy, crew-served beast); neither of which were on a par. I figured the smaller, lighter Minimis were introduced to give infantry sections a bit more portable firepower. I had not fully appreciated how limited that portability really was. Mystery solved. Thank you.

You also have to appreciate that Marine Corps Infantry in a fire fight is ALWAYS on the attack, we are not prone to establish defensive positions unless the fire coming at us is simply overwhelming, and this is a changing element. The moment we perceive a break we move forward to the objective. And of course the amount of ground we take at times may be very limited.

You also have to understand that MC infantry are extremely well trained and each man simply knows what to do. Even today I as I remember my past I still stand in awe at the amount of fire power a small MC squad can put out, really, a thing of beauty, overwhelming.

Our M60's (yes I'm time challenged) starts out on line with us with heavy surprising fire, then the line moves forward with the 60's then joining us and taking new positions. Though we are "light" infantry we are the hammer, the shock troops that simply do not stop. I guess to understand completely you really have to be there as witness/participant. Ohhhhhhhh the memories.